Mark Dunford

Three themes we can all relate to. And three themes Jodie Prenger conveys in her superb portrayal of Emma in Tell Me On A Sunday, at the Hawth, Crawley.

Following her acclaimed performance in the Watermill Theatre’s 2014 production of Calamity Jane, Prenger, who became a household name when she won I’d Do Anthing, now steps into Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s classic musical.

When I think of Lloyd Webber, I think of big casts and big productions. But this one-woman show is an intimate, through-the-keyhole look into the loves and losses of Emma.

Prenger is known for her powerful voice and it was evident straight away as she belted out Take That Look Off Your Face.

The songs that follow allow Prenger to show her range - comedy (Sheldon Bloom and Capped Teeth and Caesar Salad), heartbreak (the titular Tell Me On A Sunday) and hope (Dreams Never Run on Time).

It’s a unique show and it needs a strong performance. Luckily for the Hawth audience, they got that from Prenger.

Amnd the new 2016 production, directed by Paul Foster, includes an intimate post-show chat with Jodie about life, love and playing the role of Emma.